Newsletter

A fire at a Kenai residence on North Swires Road was initially reported by a Life Alert Emergency Response call Tuesday morning.

According to Kenai Fire Chief Mike Tilly, a Kenai resident was awakened by smoke detectors and immediately pressed her life-alert wireless button.

The Kenai Fire Department responded at 10:08 a.m. with two fire engines and two ambulances. The Nikiski Fire Department responded with a rescue truck and an engine and Central Emergency Services arrived with a tanker and an ambulance.

The fire was mostly contained in the living area of the home. He said the frigid weather conditions, as well as the unorthodox construction of the home with several varied additions, made extinguishing the fire difficult.

Although the structure was still standing Tuesday evening, Tilly said there was significant content loss and the building was not fit for occupancy. Fire fighters were still on scene after 5 p.m. on fire watch.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

The sole occupant of the home was transported to Central Peninsula Hospital for evaluation. While one dog was outside on deck when responders arrived, one pet was unaccounted for after the fire.